Using Multiple Criteria for Fingerprinting Unknown Oil Samples Having Very Similar Chemical Composition

Wang, Z

doi:10.1006/enfo.2002.0098

Cited by 6 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 24 publications

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“…In this work, we comprehensively analyze oil slicks, oil seeps, and reservoir oil to establish a compositional linkage between the samples and track the transformation of petroleum compounds during migration from the reservoir to the water surface. Biomarker analysis, based on gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC/MS), has traditionally remained the method of choice for determining relationships between different environmental samples. − Sample characterization with this technique remains limited, however, due to the technique’s inability to analyze nonvolatile molecules and limited chromatographic resolution, which traditionally results in a significant unresolved complex mixture (UCM). Here, we employ Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry (FT-ICR MS) − to provide chemical fingerprinting information to determine petroleum complexity, while also providing an excellent starting point to begin a more complete characterization of the sample.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Linking Natural Oil Seeps from the Gulf of Mexico to Their Origin by Use of Fourier Transform Ion Cyclotron Resonance Mass Spectrometry

Krajewski

Lobodin

Johansen

et al. 2018

Environ. Sci. Technol.

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We report chemical characterization of natural oil seeps from the Gulf of Mexico by Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry (FT-ICR MS) and Gas Chromatography/Atmospheric Pressure Chemical Ionization Mass Spectrometry (GC/APCI-MS), to highlight how FT-ICR MS can also be employed as a means to determine petroleum connectivity, in addition to traditional GC/MS techniques. The source of petroleum is the Green Canyon (GC) 600 lease block in the Gulf of Mexico. Within GC600, two natural oil seepage zones, Mega Plume and Birthday Candles, continuously release hydrocarbons and develop persistent oil slicks at the sea surface above them. We chemically trace the petroleum from the surface oil slicks to the Mega Plume seep itself, and further to a petroleum reservoir 5 km away in lease block GC645 (Holstein Reservoir). We establish the connectivity between oil samples and confirm a common geological origin for the oil slicks, oil seep, and reservoir oil. The ratios of seven common petroleum biomarkers detected by GC/APCI-MS display clear similarity between the GC600 and GC645 samples, as well as a distinct difference from another reservoir oil collected ∼300 km away (Macondo crude oil from MC252 lease block). FT-ICR MS and principal component analysis (PCA) demonstrate further similarities between the GC600 and GC645 samples that distinctly differ from MC252. A common geographical origin is postulated for the GC600/GC645 samples, with petroleum migrating from the GC645 reservoir to the oil seeps found in GC600 and up through the water column to the sea surface as an oil slick.

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